Nigeria, representing Africa in the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup, produced a commendable start in the competition after claiming an easy 6-1 victory over Tahiti on the night of Monday 17th June, 2013. The tournament, being hosted in South America’s Brazil, commenced on Saturday 15th and will have its final played on 30th this month.
Nnamadi Oduamadi completed a hat-trick while Uwa Echiejile scored a brace for the Super Eagles as they subjected the Pacific Islanders to humiliation in their first match at a senior FIFA world tournament. The only Tahiti consolation goal came from Jonathan Tehau, who converted Marama Vahirua’s corner with a wonderful header past Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama on the 54th minute. Tehau however erroneously scored a 68th minute own goal to add to the African champions’ tally on their 19th match without defeat, their longest ever unbeaten run.
The Super Eagles defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the February 2013 Africa
Cup of Nations final in South Africa to earn the right to represent
Africa at the FIFA Confederations Cup. They currently sit on 31st world
position and 4th in Africa according to the latest FIFA rankings and top
of group F in Africa’s 2014 World Cup Qualifiers.
Tahiti, the Oceania champion’s next match will be against the World and European champions, Spain on Thursday 20th in a match which weighs the world’s 1st position against 138th in the FIFA Ranking. On the other hand, the Super Eagles will battle against South American champions, Uruguay, on Friday 21st.
In the previous matches, Brazil (who qualified automatically as the host country) started with a 3-0 clean sheet against Asian champions, Japan in the competition’s opening match on Saturday. Neymar da Silva, FC Barcelona’s new signing, opened up the goal-scoring campaign with a 3rd minute long range strike, followed by José Paulinho and João Alves’ goals on the 48th and 93rd minutes respectively. Brazil is the defending champion of the Confederation Cup, having won it in both 2005 and 2009.
Later on the same day, Spain who qualified for the Confederations Cup as the reigning FIFA World Cup champions also started with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay. They took an early 2-0 lead, courtesy of Pedro Rodriguez and Roberto Soldado’s 20th and 32nd minute goals. With just two minutes to the end of the match, Liverpool forward, Luis Suarez’s 88th minute brilliant free kick outdid Iker Casillas to give the South American side their lone goal.
Tahiti, the Oceania champion’s next match will be against the World and European champions, Spain on Thursday 20th in a match which weighs the world’s 1st position against 138th in the FIFA Ranking. On the other hand, the Super Eagles will battle against South American champions, Uruguay, on Friday 21st.
In the previous matches, Brazil (who qualified automatically as the host country) started with a 3-0 clean sheet against Asian champions, Japan in the competition’s opening match on Saturday. Neymar da Silva, FC Barcelona’s new signing, opened up the goal-scoring campaign with a 3rd minute long range strike, followed by José Paulinho and João Alves’ goals on the 48th and 93rd minutes respectively. Brazil is the defending champion of the Confederation Cup, having won it in both 2005 and 2009.
Later on the same day, Spain who qualified for the Confederations Cup as the reigning FIFA World Cup champions also started with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay. They took an early 2-0 lead, courtesy of Pedro Rodriguez and Roberto Soldado’s 20th and 32nd minute goals. With just two minutes to the end of the match, Liverpool forward, Luis Suarez’s 88th minute brilliant free kick outdid Iker Casillas to give the South American side their lone goal.
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